West Terrace School adds training to bring out "Leader in Me"

For West Terrace Elementary School principal Katie White, it's been the best start to a school year in her 22-year career in the school system.

West Terrace received a grant of $50,000 from the I am a Leader Foundation to help implement the Leader in Me process, based on Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People," into a school environment.

"And really it has transformed our experience at West Terrace," White said. "It's been really magnificent to watch. They really are linked in arms and working together to create the best place for kids."

White said the school gave $5,000 a year for five years to add to the foundation's grant, for a total of $75,000 for the program. She explained the grant pays for trainers to hold workshops for teachers, supplies — student activities manuals and teacher manuals and a subscription to Teachers Lounge. Training for teachers was held last month.

"One of the things I'm most excited about is putting learning in the hands of kids — they'll be setting goals and be in charge of their own learning, be in charge of their own choices," White said. "And they're learning that you can choose your behavior, but you can't choose the consequences."

Teachers Lizabeth Chang and Angela Duncan said in their 30 years of teaching, this was the best start to a school year.

Chang said the workshops have helped the faculty replace ineffective behaviors with helpful, effective behaviors.

"The fact is, we had a lot to learn about ourselves as people and as a faculty," Chang said. "We are able to use these tools with each other and with our students to create a positive, sacred space at West Terrace."

Chang said tools in use include: being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, putting first things first, thinking win-win and sharpening the "saw" or individual.

Duncan said that the plan will change dynamics in the school building and keep positive spirits high.

"We're looking through a different view and making sense of our world in a different way," she said. "And the habits help us be good people, better people — people that can be successful."

Chang said she loves the program because it's principle-centered around "all the things that your mom and dad taught you to be — be honest, show integrity, be responsible and have a good work ethic."

According to White, an after-school session geared toward parents will teach them principles their children are learning. It's essential for the habits to translate into home life.